Leeds United about to receive Sam Byram boost due to Manchester United

Manchester United's imminent signing of Italian international Matteo Darmian is expected to have a positive knock on effect for Leeds United.

The Red Devils are poised to complete the addition of the Torino defender, with The Mirror reporting last night it should go through within 24 hours.

A £12.9 million fee has been agreed, with the full-back flying in for a medical after accepting a four-year deal.

Good news for Leeds

Bitter rivals Leeds are set to breathe a sigh of relief, for it ends the Old Trafford side's interest in Everton's Seamus Coleman.

The Guardian reported 10 days ago that Everton were planning to sign Sam Byram from Leeds United as a replacement for Coleman if they themselves were coerced into a sale.

Everton have been monitoring Byram's progress at the Championship side since 2013, but have had no need to splash out, given the form of Coleman.

Seamus Coleman recently renewed his Everton deal until 2019, and only a substantial offer could have swayed Everton into a sale. Manchester United were one of the few clubs with the capability or perceived willingness to do so, but The Sun reported they walked away after being told even £20 million would not cut it.

Leeds were already feeling positive about their chances of keeping the defender after Sunderland signed Celtic's Adam Matthews at right-back, abandoning their pursuit.

The other team linked by The Guardian, Newcastle United, have no need to buy either given they have Dutch international Daryl Janmaat. He had been linked to Liverpool by the Liverpool Echo, but they have signed Nathaniel Clyne from Southampton instead. The Saints in turn signed Portuguese right-back Cedric Soares.

This merry-go-round effectively serves to keep Sam Byram at Leeds, for now. But the talented and coveted right-back has one year remaining on his contract, so until the club sign him to a new deal, question marks over his long-term future will remain.

Dan Coombs

Dan Coombs has been writing for HITC Sport full time since 2012 and has helped the website grow it's audience considerably during this period, while managing a team of writers. He has interviewed high profile names including Stuart Pearce and his work has been cited in Javier Hernandez's biography. In addition to football, Dan is a big fan of the NFL and NBA.